The day was in the latter part of 1975,4b in St Gers was the place ,at the time castlebar was in the grip of by-election fever ,messers Mc greal and Kenny the candidates and as with all things politics the Sunday papers had run a profile of both.
The following day these articles were brought forward for discussion when Brother Agustus (Gussie) took his 4b class (He tought us Gaelic and Religion and may God be good to him he had a great passion for the former but he had a great admiration for all things positive and fairness was also a trait,that I know I admired in him and I think others did aswell)........This was the day however that I think that those traits were to be tested and the events have stayed with me since and will for life............The discussion was initiated by the obvious question.....Who?was Bro going to vote for,this was of course more intended as a diversion from the main business of the day i.e. the drudgery of the impending subject and as a time consumer,little did we know at the time that we were discussing the potential future Taoiseach of the country.
The class'4b' at the time was a very rowdy one and not a favourite of any of the misfortunate teachers but though rowdy (and this of course was the workings of a few) it was also a great mix of many; towns people-country people,pop music-c&w, gaelic-soccer and of course Fine Gael and Fianna Fail or in this case M.J. or Enda,both of whom had special signifigance
for the class.Eugene Mc C ,Pat O.M,Antony Mc G and Brendan S,the Islandeady lads were of course all Enda's men as were the rest of the F.G. supporters, the majority of the town lads were M.J's men but it was not all so simple or clear cut and the usual demonstrations of loyalty were somewhat subdued owing to a more local loyalty........that towards a classmate.
After being asked the 'loaded' question,Brother Agustus went on to affirm that his choice would have to be Kenny (and as he(Br Agustus) was a Corkman with a great love of sport)went on to say that as Kenny played football and that as reported in the Sunday papers that the only sport M.J.had ever partook in was 'fishing and shooting'which in his mind wasn't sport at all,then he had no choice but to opt for 'young Kenny'........................Then someone piped up 'But what about Timmy Bro? Which Timmy ? Bro asked........'Timmy Mc Greal at the back Bro'.......After a pregnant pause Bro Agustus addressed Timmy and asked him if he was related to M.J........Quietly but with great dignity Timmy replied.......Hes my brother, Brother.......................'Well in that case I apoligise for not realising' said Bro Agustus ' I will be voting for your brother Timmy'.....................
P.S though at the time I was staunch F.F because of the events over the Treaty and the 32 and the history and so on and the fact that I am far removed from the direct politics of my country(though I do keep a keen interest in whats happening and hope that Ireland does not become what Shaw once
referred to as .....'The sow that ate her farrow').......I wish Enda the best and hope he brings stability ,leadership and the Western qualities and honesty that his country needs right now and that Dublin realises that Ireland does exist and has a voice beyond the 'pale'

?Bro asked

'loaded'